Bettors at a three-night Vegas Nights fundraiser at Riverside Theatre lay their chips on the table to benefit the theater’s Youth Tuition Assistance and Community Engagement programs. In addition to offering a variety of casino games in the lobby, the event included a special Alumni Showcase presenting five graduates from the programs supported by the fundraiser.
The showcase, in which they performed alone and with fellow alums, took place in the Waxlax Theatre the first evening, with Comedy Zone performances on subsequent nights.
Jon Moses, Riverside’s executive producer/CEO, welcomed the sold-out crowd to the showcase and recalled that long before he joined the staff, he performed in 1993 in a summer production of “Bye Bye Birdie” at what was then called Riverside Children’s Theatre. His own children also went through the program.
“I started writing down my thoughts and it really became a letter, almost like a letter to an old friend. Because all of you here represent a lot of people who have made the lives of these individuals, and so many more, spectacular,” said Moses, before speaking of the Riverside alums, “whose stories embody resilience, growth, and the enduring power of the performing arts.”
Moses also commended the guidance, encouragement and unwavering support of their teachers, instructors, family members and friends, and acknowledged the leadership of former RCT directors and instructors, including Michael Kint, Dan and Linda Downey, Jennifer Patty, Jeremy and Maggie Baker, and Karen Wiggins.
Kevin Quillinan, director of Theatre Education, said the program is less about creating the next superstar, and more about encouraging children to be comfortable in their own skin, building self-esteem, and teaching them how to work together as a team and interact socially; ultimately creating possibilities whatever their career paths.
“This is still an activity that everybody has to work together to help tell a shared story with shared experiences. That’s what’s really beautiful about it,” said Quillinan.
Adam Schnell, artistic director/CEO of Ballet Vero Beach and Riverside’s director of education, said that the reason he is still involved, after 24 years, is that every time a new young person comes through the door he sees nothing but possibility.
“And in this day and age, I think we all need that more and more. As people who care about this program, as people who care about this organization, as people who care about the arts in our community, we need to continue to stand up,” said Schnell.
“So as Riverside Theatre goes into its next phase, as BVB gets more deeply embedded with Riverside, and as we all struggle against an outcry and a slashing of public funding for the arts and non-profits, I’m here to ask you to donate your small talk to your friends, your neighbors.
Tell them how much things like this mean to you, and make sure that programs like this can continue in perpetuity.”
Introducing the first performer, Quillinan said they recently advertised for a new associate director of education position. One of the applicants was Emily Rose Olsson, a fondly remembered former student who had gone on to obtain a fine arts degree in acting; after the interview process, she was offered the job.
“I’ve been grateful to have grown up in this building. I’ve made some of my best friendships at Riverside,” said Olsson. Having been encouraged by her grandmother from age 3 to enroll in dance and theater classes, she is now very happy to be teaching at the place she loves.
Next up was David Calahan, who took dance, acting and singing classes at Riverside from age 5, and most recently performed here in “Singin’ in the Rain.” Now 19, he is enrolled in the Steps on Broadway Professional Dance Conservatory in New York City.
Shannon Maloney found her “home away from home” at age 7, performing on stage and dancing as one of the first apprentices of Ballet Vero Beach. Now residing and working in Sarasota, she performs at a local theater there.
“It’s not an exaggeration when I say theater and places like Riverside, didn’t change my life, they shaped my life. And they made me the person that I am today. And I think that theater in general is such a good lesson for kids in how to be a better, more empathetic, more understanding, and just kind-hearted and communicative person,” said Maloney.
“I think we always need that, but I think that especially now we really need that,” she added.
Jamari Darling, introduced to music through the Gifford Youth Orchestra at age 9, was renowned locally for his athletic acumen as well as his outstanding voice and stage talents. Darling followed his dream to Broadway, debuting in “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.”
He continues to perform in New York and at regional theaters nationwide.
Bryce Roux also grew up at Riverside – his mother, Jennifer Patty, taught music, acting and dancing at Riverside and Saint Edward’s School – and he is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sports management at the University of Kansas.
The multiple award-winning pianist Julian Bond, whose most recent Riverside performance was in this season’s production of “Master Class,” accompanied the gifted performers.
Quillinan said that while the evening had been a celebration of the talents of past participants, they wanted to close things out by showcasing some of their current students. Before the final number, though, he commented on the unprecedented growth of the program over the past couple of years.
So many auditioned for their “Annie Kids” production that they had to add an extra camp, “Annie Jr.” featured a cast of 50, and the full-length summer production of “Legally Blonde” had nearly 40 students. Fall numbers are looking equally impressive, with 98 auditioning for the upcoming Junior Theater Festival show, “Matila Jr.” and 72 auditioning for “Alice in Wonderland Jr.”
To close out the showcase, the “Legally Blonde” cast performed one of the songs, displaying the breadth and scope of their own talents.
For more information, visit RiversideTheatre.com.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
